The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1887-08-10
"MY GOD. WHAT IS THIS ?"

1t is well understood that Judge Woods,
OF the United States District Court Is an
intense, incorporating Republican. He
is one of the benefcisries of Guiteau's
bullet. Through the hole made by the as
sassin's missile Arthur crawled into the
White House, and large number of Re-
publicans, through the same opening, OBJ
tanned Office. Judge Woods is of the list.
When Garfield fell, he exclaimed: my
God, what is this?" What was it, sure
enough? 1t was q bullet, il was murder,
to make Arthur President, and change the
flow OF spoils and Doodle in another direc-
ton, and to a class of persons whom Gar
field did not want to recognize. In the
shuttle and deal of the political cards, VIM.
A. Woods put on the ermined robes of
United States District Judge, and it so hap
pens that number of Democrats, men of
good character, so proven in court, were
indicted for crime which they did not
commit-so demonstrated in open court.
The trial affords Judge Woods a splendid
opportunity to act the pure, white-souled,
clean-handed judge. Now was an oppor-
tunity for Judge Woods to exhibit himself
as superior to partisan clamor and
partisan mslgnity. He owed this
to himself, he owed it to his elevated posi-
ton. to the ermined insignia of his Office,
to his oath to his country and to his God.
How well he has performed the task. How
fully he met expectations, how sublimely
he maintained the dignity of his position,
are questions discussed throughout the
State and the country. Men are reading
his charge to the jury with bowed heads.
Every honest mans cheek is martled with
a bIueh of shame and humiliation. They
read, and like Garfield, exclaim! "My
God what is this?" Is it partisan har-
angue2 Is it a regular, despicsble appeal
FOR the conviction of Democrats, because
they are Democrats upon the testimony of
a confessed felon and periurer? Is it an
appeal to silence conscience and conviction,
to ignore the sacred, binding obligation of
oath, that the Republican party may win
victory, and Republican scoundrelism may
be observed? And still the question rings
out, mouTHful as a funeral knell, what
does the harangue of Judge Woods mean?
In the earnest effort on the part of citizens
to solve the problem, they continually ask,
ais Judge Woods totally demented? Are
his PERCEPTIONS so blunted that he is unable
to discern the lire, vivid as lightning, that
distinguishes between a judge and juggler,
law and legeIdemain? 1t has been said
that the usefulness OF VIM. A. Woods,
as a judge, is a thing of the past, even if
it could be said that he was ever OF any ad-
vantage to the people in that capacity. 1t
has been suggested that he should resign
that the.court be presides over can not have
the confidence Of the people while he re-
mains on the bench. But it is conceded
that Judge who could manufacture lsuch
charge as he produced to the jury in the
tally sheet case, and who receives s., 500 a
year for.services, is not likely 10 resign. 1t
has been suggested that he ought to be i'm
peached and dismissed, IN the interests of
the people and in the name of all that is
sacred in jurisprudence. But it may be
that: the people of Indiana will be. re-
quired to remain subject 10 the rulings and
harraD CUES OF Judge VIM. A. Woods. 1t
is q calamity which will have to be borne
with such philosophical resignation as the
people can command, and with such salts
faction as may be derived from the reAec-
ton that as honest jury will give his
opinions such weight as they deserve and
no more, and when the purpose is to con-
vict Democrats for the benefit of the Re-
publican party, the probabilities are the
| Jury will hang